Michigan President Announces Deep Dive Into Athletics After Coach Moore’s Firing and Arrest

In a sweeping statement that underscored the seriousness of recent turmoil, University of Michigan interim president Domenico Grasso vowed the school would “leave no stone unturned” as it reviews the culture of its athletic department.

A Sudden Turn of Events

The announcement came just days after the university terminated the employment of football coach Sherrone Moore on Dec. 10. Moore had allegedly maintained an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Hours after his dismissal, police arrested him after he broke into the home of his former lover, threatened to kill himself, and told her that his “blood is on your hands,” prosecutors said.

Grasso’s 3 ½‑minute video address, released on Wednesday, emphasized the gravity of the situation. “This past week has been a difficult one for the University of Michigan,” Grasso said. “I want to underscore that the University of Michigan is committed to a campus culture of respect, integrity and excellence. That is why we took decisive action last week to terminate the employment of coach Moore and we are continuing the investigation of coach Moore’s actions to uncover any additional germane, material information and to assess whether there may be related misconduct by others.”

Expanding the Investigation

In a move that signals a broadening of the inquiry, the university hired law firm Jenner & Block to investigate the Moore incident. Grasso explained that the firm’s mandate now includes an independent evaluation of culture, conduct and procedures throughout the athletics department. “In parallel, we are committed to strengthening the functional capacity of our university‑wide ethics, integrity and compliance office within the department of intercollegiate athletics,” he added.

While the address did not name other alleged misdeeds beyond Moore’s, the Michigan program has recently been rocked by a series of high‑profile scandals. Former assistant football coach Matthew Weiss was indicted on March 30 for breaking into the digital accounts of 3,300 students to download intimate photos and videos, federal prosecutors said.

The university’s football program also faced backlash after a 34‑13 victory over the Washington Huskies on Jan. 8, 2024, which secured the national championship but was later marred by a sign‑stealing scandal. Two weeks after that win, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, a former Michigan coach, was hired. In August, the NCAA announced a ban on Harbaugh from college sports until 2028 for “unethical conduct” in recruiting, and a subsequent 10‑year ban over the sign‑stealing incident pushed his ineligibility to 2038.

Basketball coach Juwan Howard was suspended in February 2022 after a post‑game swing at Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft, and he was not fired until March 2024 following an 8‑24 season.

Grasso’s Call for Community and Integrity

“This is, no doubt, a challenging time for our community,” Grasso said. “I understand the anger and disillusionment that many in our community may be experiencing but our core values and principles will be embodied in how we respond to these challenges and will reflect our character.”

Under Moore’s tenure, the Wolverines finished the season 9‑3 overall and 7‑2 in the Big Ten. With interim coach Biff Poggi now leading the team, Michigan is set to face Texas in the Cheez‑It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31.

Looking Ahead

As the university searches for a new head football coach, Grasso emphasized the qualities the school seeks. “As we conduct our search for our next head football coach, we intend to hire an individual who can and will instill that spirit and who will represent the highest values that our university holds dear,” he said. “We will hire an individual who is of the highest moral character and who will serve as a role model and respected leader for the entire football program, and who will, with dignity and integrity, be a fierce competitor.”

Key Takeaways

• Michigan president vows a comprehensive review of athletics culture after coach Moore’s firing and arrest.
• Jenner & Block hired to investigate Moore incident and broadened to assess department‑wide conduct.
• The university faces a legacy of scandals, from Weiss’s data breach to Harbaugh’s recruiting and sign‑stealing bans.

The University of Michigan’s leadership is clear: it will pursue a thorough investigation, reinforce its ethics framework, and seek a new head coach who embodies the institution’s highest standards of character and competitiveness.